Hagen bade his followers: “Now ask these guests of mine

Hagen bade his followers: “Now ask these guests of mine If they will deign most kindly to eat my bread and wine, Till they, within my kingdom, on lands they hold are living.” The Danish Fru-te answered: “To take your food would shame to us be giving.”

“If erst the great King Hettel had been to us so good, That he both gold and silver would give to us for food, We in our houses had them, and might of them be wasteful; We e’en could stay our hunger, and feed thereon, if this to us were tasteful.”

’Twas bidden then by Fru-te that his booth should be set up. To see for sale such riches men ne’er again could hope. Never within their borders did any trader offer Fine goods at such a bargain; they easily were sold before the day was over.

All could buy who wished them, gold and jewels rare. The king, by greatest kindness, was to his guests made dear. If any, without buying, still these treasures wanted, The traders were so friendly that they, as gifts, the goods to many granted.

Whate’er of Wâ-te or Fru-te was said by any one,— Of all the deeds of kindness that here by them were done,— The tale might not be trusted, how they for these were ready; They strove to gain high praises, and this at court was told to many a lady.